lowry



G. A. L0WRY. PRESS FOR COTTON, WOOL, m.

2 Sheets-Sheet -1.

'(No Model.)

Patented Apr. 27, 1897,

(No Model.) 2 Sheets--Sheet 2.

G. A. LOWRYh I PRESS FOR COTTON, WOIOL, &c. No. 581,600. Patented Apr. 27, 1-89'7.-

- is 'mounted.

UNi'in STATES PATnNT OFF CE.

GEORGE A. LOWRY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, OF ONE-HALFTO JAMES F. OSHAUGHNESSY, OF NEW' YORK, N. Y.

.PRESS FOR COTTQN, w-ooL, etc.

SPEOIFICATIONfOrming part of Letters Patent No. 581,600, dated April 27, 1897.

Application filed Deo'a i press of novel and exceedingly simple construction for pressing cotton, wool, hair, and the like into bales.

The invention consists,substantially,in the construction, combination, location, and relative arrangement of parts, all as will be more fully hereinafter set forth, as shown in ihe accompanying drawings, and finally specifically pointed out in the appended claims.

Figure 1 is a plan view of a press embodying the principles of my invention, parts of the supporting-frame and driving-shaft being broken away. Fig. 2 is avertical central longitudinal sectional view of the same on the line 2 2, Fig. 1. Fig. 3-. is a view in side elevation of the cap-plate. Fig. 4 is a view in side elevation of a slightly-modified form of press embodying my invention,'parts being broken away, parts'broken out, and parts in vertical section. p The same part is designated by the same reference-sign wherever it occurs throughout the several views. I

In carrying out my invention I provide a suitable framework A, upon which the press The press comprises a receiving-chamber D, into which the cotton or other material to be pressed into a bale is introduced,and a cap-plate or cover M. The chamber D is preferably'open-ended, as shown, and the cap-plate M is arranged over one of the open ends of said chamber,with the inner surface thereof projecting into said chamber. The object ofmakin g this chamber open-ended is to provide a practically unobstructed passage from the cap-plate through the chamber, in contradistinction to the class of presses in which the material in its passage is compressed against something, whether station am or movable.

, receivin g-chamber.

17,1896. Serialfio, 15,993. (some) Thecapplate M is provided with a slot or opening N through the same, through whichthe material to be pressed is introduced to the Preferably, though not necessarily, this slot is arranged radially in said cap-plate. The surface of cap-plate M,

which is arranged to project into the receivl ing-chamber, is preferably formed to project to a progressively-increasing depth into the said chamber from one edge of the slot or opening N to the other edgethereof, as most clearly shown in Fig. 3.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that by continuously introducing the material to be pressed into the receiving-chamher audsimultaneously therewith relatively rotating said chamber and cap-plate the material is subjected to a progressive pressure, due to the action thereon of the peculiarlyshaped surface of the cap-plate, which is arranged to projectinto the receiving and compression chamber.

I have shown, the inner surface of cap-plate M as being formed into a. spiral, but I do not desire to be limited thereto, as rnyinventionincludes any arrangement of surface which projects a progressive depth into the receivin g-chamber from one edge of the slot or opening N'to the other.

the chamber D and the cap-plate M maybe employed. In the particular form shown, to which, however, my invention is not limited, I rotate the chamber D, and to this end'I mount a gear-wheel J thereon, arranged to be engaged and driven by a gear K upon a suitably-arranged shaft L, adapted to receive rotation from any suitable or convenient source. Of course it will be understood that myinven tion is in no manner limited or confined to the particular form or arrangement of gearing shown. In the particular arrangement shown, to which, however, my invention is not restricted, and wherein the chamber D is rotated, said cap-plate is statiohariiy mounted, and a suitable bearing is provided, in which the chamber D is monnted to rotate. l have shown a convenient arrangement, to which, however, I do not desire to be limited or restricted, wherein I mount a cylindrical casing B upon the frame A, said casing being Any suitable gearing for relatively rotating of the flanges G E may be employed.

securely bolted to said frame, and the chamber D is arranged to be received in said casmg. tive arrangement of the chamber and casin g, wherein I provide said casing. with an inwardly-projecting rim or flange (I, the chamber D being provided with a similar peripheral rim or flange E, adapted to restupon said rim or flange 0. Any suitable means for reducing friction between the bearing-surfaces In the form shown, to which, however, I do net'desire to be limited or restricted, I introduce a wearing-strip F-say, for-instance, of brassbetween the bearing-surfaces of said flanges. In order that the chamber may be properly supported within casing B, saidehamber is arranged to bear peripherally against the inher wall of said casing, and preferably, in order toreduee friction to the lowest point, such peripheral bearing is provided only at the ends of the chamber D, as indicated at G H. The cap-plate M is securely bolted or otherwise rigidly secured to the casing B in almanner permitting the removal of such capp ate.

The mode of operation of my press will be readily seen and understood from the foregoing description and is as follows: The chamber D is first filled with the cotton or other material to, be pressed, either by hand or otherwise, and then the cap-plate M and said chamber are assembled with the peculiarly- I important functions.

fects a continuous drawing or feeding of the vshaped cam or spiral surface of the cap-plate projecting into the chamber. Now by imparting a relative rotation to said chamber and cap-plate and simultaneously therewith introducing additional material to said chamher through the slot or opening in the cape plate such relative rotation accomplishes two In the first place it efadditional material into the chamber D, and, in the next place, such relative rotation imparts to the material thus continuously introduced to the chamber a progressive pressure, due to the action of the peculiar shape of the siirface'ofcap-plate M, projecting into the chamber. The material to bepressed may be .delivered by hand or in'auy suitable or convenient manner to the slot N, and in order to facilitate its entrance through said slot or opening into the chamber I may provide the far edge of said slot or opening with'an upturned flangepr lip 0, Fig. 4,01, if desired, I may mount a suitable antifriction-roller P, Figs. 1 and 2, adjacent to the far edge of said slot or opening, and which serves as a guide for the material. If desired, and as shown, this 6o roller may be cone-shaped. By reason of the relative rotation of the cap-plate and compress'ion-jch'amber and the coincident introduction of the material to'said chamber through the opening in said cap-plate it will be readily seen that the material'is formed into spiral layers and-is, asabove explained, subjected to a progressive compression. It will also'be I have shown a simple and efiicient relaseen that on account of such relative rotation of the cap-plate and chamber an unfilled space in the bale is left at the axis of 'ii tidiZiOll. In order to remedy this, and with the ob'ect of producing a solidly-formed bale, I pre erably contract the internal diameter of chamber D,

as most clearly shown in Fig. 2, from the end thereof adjacent to the cap-plate to the other or delivery end of such chamber. By-this provision I impart a lateral compression to the body of thebale as the material proceeds through the chamber, thus efficiently compressing the bale into the unfilled space at tlieaxis ofrotation. The formed and compressed bale emerges from the open.v end of the chamli'er D, and by-suitably 'arrangin'ga cover R over said delivery end ot the com pression-chamber-as, for instance, by telescoping a sack or covering of bagging orother suitablemat-erial over such delivery end.-it

will be seen that the bale as'it emerges from.

the chamber D and of the delivery-tube 262,?

which resistance is exerted in a manner which does not injure in any manner the fiber of the material being pressed, notwithstanding the "enormous pressure to which itis subjected. Of a course in the case of a cont-actin g chamber an additional resistance is also provided. In order that the resistance may not be too great, I

preferably provide the chamber D and also the extension Q with a polished inner surface. I vary the resistance to the pressure exerted by cap-plate M,- and hence vary-the d, gree of compression to which the bale is su jected,

the longer said extension the, greaterthe pressure.

The extension Q, which may be formed integral with or suitably supported by the chamher-D, forms a convenient temporary sup port for the covering R in position to receive the halo as it emerges from the machine.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that I provide a press that is exceedingly simple in construction and eflicient in operation.

By varying the. length of extension Qf rro Ills;

While I have shown and described a specific embodiment of means for. carrying-the principles of my invention into practical op eration, I desire it tobe distinctly understood that the specific form shown, while the best form in which I at present contemplate car rying my invention into practical operation,

embodying the same and having described.

the construction, function, and mode of operation thereof, what I claim as-new and useful and of my own invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States,

, 1. In ,a cotton or other. press, an open-ended receiving-chamber and a slotted cap-plate, in combination with mechanism for continuously feeding the material into such chamber and subjecting the same to progressive pressure as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a cotton or other press, an open-ended receiving-chamber, means. for continuously feeding the material to be pressed intofsuch chamber and subjeotingthe same to pressure, in wmbination with means for relatively rotating said chamber and said eding and pressure means; as and for th purpose set forth.

3. In a cotton or other press, an open-ended chamber, a slotted cap-plate having a surface arrangedto project to successively-increasing depths into said chamber, and means for relatively rotating said chamber and capplate; as and for the purpose set forth.

4. In a cotton or other press, an open-ended chamber, a slotted cap-plate arranged over one of the ends of said chamberand provided witha spiral surface arranged to project into said chamber, and means for relatively rotating said chamber and cap-plate; as andfor the purpose set forth.

= 5 Inacotton or other press, an open-ended chamber, a cap-plate arranged over one end thereof, said cap-plate provided with a radial slot or opening therethrough, and an inner ;spiral surface arranged to project into said- 'spiral inner surface arranged to pro chamber, and means for relatively rotating said chamber and cap=p1ate;' as and for the.

purpose set forth.

ti. In a cotton or other press, anopen-ended chamber, a stationarily held cap-plate or .cover for one end thereof, said cap-plate or cover being slotted and also provided with a j set into said chamber, and means for rotating said chamber; 'as and for the purpose set forth.

7. In a cli'tton or other press, an open-ended chamber, astationary slotted cap-plate for one end of. said chamber, having a surface arranged to project to successively-increas ing depths into said chamber, and means for rotating said chamber; as and for the purpose set forth. p v

8. In a cotton or other press, a chamber open at both ends, and contracting in internal diameter from one end thereof to the other, a slotted cap-plate or cover for the largerend of said chamber,having a spiralsurfae arranged to, project into said chamber, and means for pose set forth.

relatively rotating said chamber and cover;

asand for the purpose set forth.

9. In a cotton or other press, a chamber open I at both ends, and contracting in internal diameter from one end thereof tothe other,

means for rotating said chamber, in combination with a stationarily-held slotted cgver or cap-plate, having a spiral surface arranged I to project into the larger end of said chsmber; as and for the purpose's'et. forth.

10. In a cotton or other press, a chamberopen at both ends, a cap-plate or cover for one end of said chamber and provided with a spiral surface arranged to projcct into said chamber, said cap-plate or cover provided with a slot or opening through which said naterial to be pressed is introduced intoeaid chamber; said slot being arranged at the beginning and termination of said spiral surface, and means for relatively rotating said chamber and cap-plate'or cover; as and for the purpose set forth.

11. In a cotton or other press, an open-ended chamber, a slotted cap-plate or cover for one end of said chamber, said cap-plate or cover being provided with a spiral surface arranged to project into said chamber, and a guide adjacent to said slot for facilitating the intro duction of the mhterial to be pressed through said slot into said chamber, and no for relatively rotating said chamber and capplate; as and'for the purpose set forth.

12. In a cotton or other press, an open-ended chamber, a slotted cap-plaid or covcrfor ,one' end of said chamber,said cap-plate or cover-being provided with a spiral surface arranged to. project into said chamber, and a guide-roller loosely journaled adjacent to said slot for facilitating the introduction of the material to be pressed through said slot into said chamher, and means for relatively rotating said chamber and cap-plate; as and for the pur- 13. In a cotton or other press, an open-ended chamber and a slotted cap-plate, in combination with means fol-continuously feeding the material into such chamber at oneend and subjecting the same to progressive pressure, and means for applying a. permanentcover to the formed bale as it emerges from the cham her at the other end thereof; as and for the purpose set forth.

14. In a cotton or other press, an open-ended chamber and a slotted cap-plate, means. for continuously feedingthe material into such chamber at one end thereof and subjecting the same to progressive pressure, and being adapted to receive a permanent cover for'thc bale, whereby the halo receives its permanent covering as it emerges from the chamber; as and'for the purpose set forth.

15.. In a cotton or other press, a chamber and a slotted cap-plate, said chamber being open at both ends and provided with an extension at one end thereof, adapted to receive thereon a each or covering for the finished thereof, and simultaneously therewith subproject into one of the open ends of said bale, means for continuously feeding the ma- 1' terial into such chamberat the other end jecting the same to progressive pressure, whereby the material is formed into a bale and is ejected from said chamber through said extension and into its permanent covering; as and for the purpose set forth.

16. In a cotton or other press, aframework, a casing rigidly mounted thereoman openended chamber adapted to be received in said casing and having a spiral surface arranged to project into one end of said chamber, and means for rotating said chamber; as and for the purpose set forth.

17. In a cottoii or-oth-er press, aframework, a casing rigidly mounted thereon and provided with an internally-projecting rim or flange, an open-ended chamber adapted to-be received in said casing, said chamber provided with a peripheral flange or rim adapted to rest upon the flange or rim'of said casing, whereby said chamber is supported, aslotted capplate rigidly'moun-ted on said casing and provided with a spiral surface arranged to chamber and means for rotating said cham her; .as and for the purpose set forth.

1 8. In a cotton or other press,aframework, a casing rigidly mountedthereon and provided with an internally-projecting flange or rim, an open-ended chamber adapted to be reoeived'in said casing, said chamber promed with aperipheral flange or rim adapted l" to res-t upon the fiangeor rim of said casing, whereby said .chamber is supported, means for reducing friction between the bearing surfaces of said flanges or rims, a slotted capplate rigidlymounted on said casing and provided with a spiral s rface arranged to project-into one of the o iaen ends of said chamher, and means for rotating said chamber; as and for the purpose set forth.

19.. In a cotton or other press, a framework, a, cylindrical covering rigidly mounted there on, an open-ended chamber arranged to he supported within said casing and having peripheral bearing against the internal walls of said casing at the ends thereof, a slotted cap-plate or cover rigidly mounted on said I casing and provided with a spiral surface arranged to project into said chamber, and means for rotating said chamber; as and for the purpose set forth.

20.111 acotton or otherpress, an open-ended chamber contracting in internal diameter from one end thereof to the other, in combination with a slotted cover or cap-plate-fo'r the larger end of said chamber, and means for relatively rotating said chamber and cover or cap-plate; as and for the purpose set forth.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 15th day of December, 1896.

' GEORGE A. LOWRY. Witnesses:

S. E. DARBY, M. I. CAVANAGH. 

